The activity started in 1852 and ended in 1968.
The gallery, named after the Marquis Viceroy of the Kingdom of Sardinia, is dug at an altitude of +174 meters above sea level and connects the Vittorio Emanuele and Sella shafts.
It is the mining gallery that most vividly brings to life the miner’s life. Very interesting are the winding engine room, the reconstructions of the containment systems for landslide areas, the safety and safeguard systems for hoists used for descent and ascent, and the reconstruction of work methods for preparing blasting systems to break the rock.
The Vittorio Emanuele shaft, dug in 1863, reached an altitude of -100 meters below sea level, was used for the descent and ascent of miners, as well as for the recovery of lead ore extracted from the 80 km of galleries of the Monteponi Mine.
The Sella shaft, dug in 1874, housed the large steam pumps that “sucked” underground water, ensuring protection against water hazard in the galleries.
Access is on foot. Visit duration 1.15 hours
Information on Monteponi Mine – Villamarina Gallery
Strada Statale 126,
09016 Iglesias (Carbonia-Iglesias)
0781491300
www.igeaminiere.it
Source: MIBACT
